Weasel Phrases - Embedded Commands

An embedded command is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) technique for "planting" a thought (state, process, or experience) within the mind of another person beneath the personís conscious awareness. This is done through presuppositions, which are assumptions implied within verbal structures.

In the English language, commands end with a down turn in tonality. Embedded commands mandate the use of a commanding tonality to be effective. The commands usually possess the word formation of a question, but the tonality of a command. For example, "What's it like when you become incredibly loving!"

The purpose of using embedded commands is to move your targetís mind in the direction you want it to go without seeming to be intruding or ordering in any way.

Weasel phrases are suggestive predicates designed for use in the construction of suggestive sentences to set up an embedded command.

Combine the Weasel Phrase with a command verb, like "get", "become", "experience", "remember", etc. Tack on the state, process or experience you want the other person to have. Presto! You've got your embedded command.

Here are the most important and useful Weasel Phrases. We will use each one to embed the command "feel incredibly loving."

When you... "When you" presupposes that the person is going to do the thing or experience the state you describe, so it's no longer open to debate or doubt. "When you feel incredibly loving, do you find yourself compelled to act on it?"

What would it be like if... This weasel phrase is, in effect, a command for the person to imagine the condition or occurrence named or described after it. "What would it be like if you were to feel incredibly loving?"

A person can... By talking about a "person" it deflects any resistance on the part of the person, since you really aren't talking about him or her. "A person can feel incredibly loving, talking with someone they really, really like!"

If you were to... By saying "if," it deflects resistance while directing the person to imagine the experience, condition, feeling or situation you are describing. "If you were to feel incredibly loving, do you think you might feel compelled to act on it?" (There's a second command hidden in that last sentence.)

As you... This phrase assumes the person will do the behavior or undergo the condition you describe. "As you feel incredibly loving, can you feel how excited you're getting?"

It's not necessary to... By saying it isn't necessary, it eliminates any resistance, since you're saying they don't really have to do it (even though they will!) "It's not necessary to feel incredibly loving, as you listen carefully to what I say!"

You really shouldn't... Since you're saying they "shouldn't", it's not like you're trying to get them to do anything, aren't you? "You really shouldn't...feel incredibly loving!".

You might find... Useful as the start of an intensifying chain of phrases. It implies that they are going to experience what you describe as something that just happens, so it's not like you're commanding them to do it! "You might find as you feel incredibly loving, it could lead to your acting on it!"

To the point where... This phrase connects one thing your victim is experiencing with the next thing you want them to experience, so it's useful both as a connector and an amplifier. "You might find those pictures start to get bigger and brighter to the point where you feel incredibly loving!"

Invite you to notice... This has the same effect as "you might find" because it implies that what you describe is going to happen. Plus, "invite" has pleasant connotations of it being voluntary and polite! Ha! Super-manipulation, good buddy! "And I invite you to notice how the warmth of my voice can allow you to feel incredibly loving!"

How surprised would you be toÖ This implies that the event you describe is certainly going to happen, and the only question is how surprised they'll be by it! One of my absolute favorite weasel phrases. An example is: "How surprised will you be to find that you can feel incredibly loving?"

Remember that by using these basic building blocks, you'll be able to create virtually any and all states you want to create, very rapidly, in the people you really want to persuade.

From the list below, you can try to mix and match some of the Weasel Phrases, Command Verbs, and States, Processes or Experiences (SPEs) to form your own embedded commands:

Are you curious about...
Are you aware that...
Are you still interested in...

As you hear these words they...
As you... ...then...
As you consider this...

Be aware of what you can sense...

Before you think...

Can you imagine...
Can I ask you to...
Can you visualise...
Can you...
Can you remember...

Could you...

Do you think that...
Do you remember when...
Do you...
Do you ever...

Don't think of...

Has it ever occurred to you that...

Have you noticed that...
Have you ever wondered...
Have you...
Have you ever...

How would you feel if...
How do you know that...
How do you feel when...

I don't want you to be...
I want you to learn...
I know you are curious...
I saw someone do this in minutes once...
I wonder if...
I don't know how soon...
I wonder could you...
I would like to suggest that...
I want you to bear in mind...
I want you to become aware...
I can remember...

I'd like you to pretend that...
I'm wondering...
I'm curious to know...

If you could...

In my experience...

Is it that you are...
Is it possible...
Is it that you have...
Is it that there is...
It is useful that...

It's just like...
It's impossible...
It's good to know that...
It's useful that...
It's good that...
It's either (A) or (B); which is it...
It's not important that...
It's as if...